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​Syrian Army Pulls Back from Suwayda After Fragile Ceasefire; Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Syrian government troops began pulling out of Suwayda before dawn today, acting on a ceasefire hammered out late Wednesday with senior Druze clerics and announced by the state news agency SANA. The withdrawal marks the first significant pause in five days of street battles that, by official count, have killed at least 30 people and injured nearly 100; independent monitors say the real toll is far higher. The fighting, artillery shells, drones, and sniper fire devastated civilian neighbourhoods.  

Power lines, water pumps and internet relays were knocked out, and medics at Suwayda National Hospital said they worked more than 72 consecutive hours, performing surgery by flashlight after a drone strike disabled two operating rooms and snipers made ambulance access perilous matters, Israel confirmed a series of air-raids this week against what it called Iranian proxy sites near Suwayda, insisting the sorties were meant to shield Druze civilians—a claim Damascus angrily rejects as “destabilising”  

In a televised dawn address, Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed that “protecting Druze citizens is our priority,” condemned the Israeli strikes, but also thanked U.S. mediators for helping secure the truce.  He warned that Syria “does not fear war” should attacks continue and urged all armed factions to join a national dialogue aimed at fully reintegrating the province under central authority, and Ankara echoed calls for restraint.  The U.S. State Department confirmed its role in brokering the ceasefire. It demanded that every side pull back to allow humanitarian relief, while Turkey emphasised Syrian sovereignty and the urgency of local dialogue.  Both governments stated that the safety of civilians must be the top priority.

The United Nations, meanwhile, has warned of a looming humanitarian disaster unless aid corridors are opened quickly.  Although army convoys have left the city centre, sporadic gunfire still crackles on the northern fringe, and several Druze commanders say they will keep fighting.  For exhausted residents, the retreat has brought a fragile hush, but with no electricity, scarce bread, and no guarantee that the bombardment will not resume, few dare to call it peace.